Banana Butterscotch Bread Pudding

Earlier this week, Mom made banana nut muffins for breakfast. For some reason, most were left uneaten. Instead of tossing the muffins, I figured I could something out of them. 

After deciding to try a bread pudding, I left the muffins to stale. 

I found a simple custard recipe online and tweaked it a bit. 

Custard: 

1 c. skim milk

4 whole eggs

4 egg whites

splash of vanilla

bit of orange zest

1/4-1/2 c. sugar. 

Procedure:
1)Whisk ingredients together and combine custard with stale bread (about 8-10 muffins).
Pour into a baking dish.

2)Bake in a 375 degree oven for about 40 minutes. (until golden and puffed up)

3)Let sit for twenty minutes after baking. 

Butterscotch sauce:

1 c. whole milk

3 Tbsp sugar

2 tsp. cornstarch

1/4 c. butterscotch liqueur

Procedure: 

Whisk together cornstarch and liqueur. Bring milk and sugar to a boil. Stir in liqueur/cornstarch. Cook until sauce thickens. 

4) Pour over bread pudding and enjoy! 

This is great served hot or cold! 

My family loved it. I thought it tasted delicious, but it was a bit too "eggy" for me. I think I may try this a couple more times and see if I can tweak the formula a bit. 

Overall, it was a winner. =) 

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Finally back to baking! Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.

I am home!
After grocery shopping today, I decided to try a new-almost good for you-recipe.
"Healthy" Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.

One reason these cookies are "healthy" is the recipe calls for applesauce rather than oil. It also has a small amount of butter compared to most cookie formulas.

Ingredients:

1 c. AP (all purpose) flour.              1 egg

1 tsp baking powder                       1/4 c. unsweetened applesauce

1/2 tsp baking soda                         1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp salt                                      1 1/3 c. rolled oats

2 Tbsp unsalted butter                     1/2 c. raisins

1/2 c. sugar                                     1/2 c. brown sugar

Procedure:

1) Combine first four ingredients.

2) Beat together butter and sugar. Add in brown sugar, followed by the egg, applesauce, and vanilla (mix well after adding each ingredient).

3) Fold in flour mixture followed by the oats and raisins.

4) Teaspoon onto a sheet pan and gently flatten with a fork.

5) Bake for 10-12 minutes in a 375 degree oven.
*Rotate halfway through baking time.
**Chewy cookies will still look raw after 12 minutes in the oven. For crisp cookies, extend baking time.

 

This recipe is definitely a keeper! They are delicious!! I can't wait to enjoy a couple with my cappuccino tonight. =)

Comment from John after learning the cookies were "healthy"-"But they still taste good!"

I'm not lying-these cookies are YUM-O!

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Heading Home.

My internship has come to a close, and I will be flying home in two days! 

I have had a wonderful time here in Vail, Colorado. One of the best things about this internship is I have learned so much, not only about baking and small business management, but also about people and life! This small town girl didn't realize just how many different kinds of people were out there. Learning to deal with the different personality traits is one great experience I will never forget.

Although this has been one of the best times of my life, I am ready to head home. Along with job searching, I have yummy sweets planned! Delicious birthday cakes, cookies, pastries, and many other things are soon to come!  ]

Come back soon to see more!

-meag.

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Taste of Vail: Mountain Top Picnic

Last week, I got to participate in the Taste of Vail. Chef Michele chose Emily, Megan, and I to run Rimini's booth at the Mountain Top Picnic. Several Vail restaurants set up booths and serve food samples to the skiers. 

Rimini usually serves gelato, but this year Michele decided to do a "Hot Chocolate Bar". 

We served three different kinds of hot chocolate-Rimini's classic hot chocolate, dark chocolate orange, and white chocolate cinnamon. The white chocolate cinnamon was my favorite. It was so good! 

Skiers were allowed to choose between vanilla whipped cream and chocolate whipped cream. We also supplied several topping options like toffee bits, brownie bites, homemade marshmallows, and chocolate candies. 

Hot Chocolate Bar

Three different hot chocolates

topping options

the homemade marshmallows tasted amazing!

the many wine tables setting up

our booth

other restaurants setting up

getting ready

Once all the skiers showed up, I was too busy to snap a picture of the massive crowd. There were so many people. I had a blast and the hot chocolate was very popular! 

skiers lay their skies up against the snow wall. 

look at all those skis! 

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bakery shift.

I have finally had to the chance to work in the bakery! 

Although the hours (7 PM to 3 AM) are hard, I have really enjoyed it. I've baked all kinds of great smelling breads! (LOVE the smell of fresh bread.)

Products ready to be delivered:

sheet pans of focaccia bread. (rosemary, parmesan, and pepper)

baguettes, demi baguettes, and multi-grain boules. 

par-baked ciabatta loaves and pillows. 

pastries. (muffins, brownies, biscotti, danishes, cookies, trailmix bars, croissants, and pan au chocolates.) 

hoagie rolls, kaiser rolls, and crackers. bagged and ready to go! 

olive boules, parm and garlic boules, and semolina boules. 

We usually make things like sliders, dinner rolls, and burger buns too. We had a pretty light night last night. I really enjoy it though! 

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